He and co-defendant Cameron Cherry began the attack by knocking on the door of an apartment on Will Court, in the city of Syracuse, where Barksdale and his mother resided, according to prosecutor Michael Kasmarek.

Barksdale opened the door, said Kasmarek, because he thought he knew the defendants. Cherry ran through the house and opened a back door, where other men were waiting outside, said Kasmarek.

However, the victim's mother pushed Cherry out of the door and locked it.

Williams pulled a gun on Barksdale and a struggle ensued.

The gun went off, and Barksdale was struck in the abdomen. He was seriously injured but survived, said Kasmarek.

Witnesses' varying accounts of the incident and possible credibility issues led to the plea deal, which was struck with the defendant in August, according to the prosecution.

In addition to the seven years in prison, Williams was sentenced to 2 1/12 years of post-release supervision.